9/11 Memorial

On 9/11, we woke up early (despite getting up at 3am in the middle of the night) and went for our complimentary breakfast at the diners below the hotel. The diner is totally filled to the brink but the turnover rate is fast, so we quickly got our seats. I love the fresh orange juice, saw half & half for the first time, tasted a bland American breakfast then to realize apparently seasoning are to be done by ourselves (unlike in Europe) and sipped a terribly thin American coffee. Mr.T love his American breakfast though.

We went back to the hotel after breakfast for a quick use of toilet and saw some helicopters hovering around the World Trade Center old sites. Did I forget to mention I'm in the same city as 2 presidents (President Obama & ex-President Bush), senators, governors, mayors and politically important 'big shots' of US? Suddenly I feel so much more privilege to be in the city.

Subway station that stops at WTC is closed off and every single exit is guarded by 2 policemen. Due to 10th year 'anniversary' of the 9/11 incident, the entrance to the memorial site is given to family members of the victims of the attack as priority and we tourists who failed to reserve the remaining limited tickets can only walk around the perimeters that are safely guarded by almost the entire state's police force.

The crowd walking outside the perimeter of WTC

Coming out from the subway station, we were merely walking blindly in the financial district, assured on the fact that the best force are in town maintaining the security and ensure the smooth progress of the memorial ceremony. Psssk, by the way, there was a bomb threat to the memorial day but the authority has been doing a good job screening every single van that fit description, so we feel pretty safe. We walked pass the patisserie that is said to serve the best financier, but we're too full for that, so a picture as memorial.

The best financier in town?

I just love the water towers on top of the buildings and the outside staircases, and can almost see Spiderman hoovering from one tower to another.

Nice police car

One of the replacement building for WTC under construction, from battery park.

The raging bull at Wall Street

Walking pass the financial district, we tried to be smart and decided to go against the flow and take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, which turns out to be a good decision because there's literally no queue. Passing through the Battery Park, seeing the flags designed using all 911 victims names left a rather heavy impression.

As the ferry leaves Manhattan, the city's beautiful skyline that is featured in so many movies appears in front of our eyes, I almost feel like I'm in a movie. Unfortunately the weather is cloudy and hazy, it'd would have been a great view with clear blue sky.

Arriving at the Liberty Island, special agents with heavy machine guns are stationed at the dock for extra security precaution. I wanted to take a picture of them but not sure if it'll cause any unnecessary trouble, so I give it a rest. Standing at the feet of the Statue of Liberty, I can finally proudly say 'I've been here!'

Manhattan from Liberty Island

Despite the warm weather on Manhattan, once we're on the Liberty Island, the constantly blowing wind actually brings down the temperature and make it rather chilly. We take a really slow pace to go around the island, skipping Ellis Island and head back to the Skyscraper's Museum. A small free museum, nothing to shout about.

I have planned for the day's lunch to be food truck lunch but on a weekend, food trucks are not so easily available at the financial district, so we head for the subway to the new Momofuku Noodle Bar in East Village. To find out what's going on in the restaurant that sweeps New Yorkers feet away, check out Momofuku Noodle Bar.

Food truck selling soft ice

One of my colleagues says the best way to enjoy New York is by walking on the street, seeing it and feeling it; I couldn't agree more. So after Momofuku, we walked from 14th street to 37th street, passing by some of the more iconic landmarks like the Flatiron building and part of Fifth Avenue.

Our wonderful plan is to go back to the hotel for a small pit stop and then head out again to hit the town, but alas, jet lag hit us. A supposed little nap prolonged to be a good night sleep, when we wake up again, it is 3am in the morning. Empire State Building is looking gorgeous from the window but the day is gone, argh!!! We vow to do better the next day.